The next phase of "My Life-Part Three" looks quite promising.
First and foremost, my son Josh no longer has cancer. While he still must suffer the effects of a final round of chemo (just dotting all the I's according to his wonderful oncologist), he doesn't have cancer any more. He also doesn't have several organs in his body that most people enjoy having, like a stomach and a spleen, but it was definitely a trade that helped the Getman team. Given some time away from chemo and a new eating regimen, he will be able to begin his "Phase Two" in fine shape. Josh, Cindy, Sam, Sara and your faithful author of these lame ramblings will be forever grateful for your thoughts, prayers, gifts, and concern.
All of which makes my future plans with Miss Nancy of E. Lansing, Michigan quite exciting and look-forward-to-ish.
First on our list is a two-day jaunt into New Orleans, a smooth three or four hour drive from here. We will be joined by old friends Laney and Steve Silva who have graciously consented to mooch off me for a week or so in April. Just kidding, of course. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to reciprocate just a tiny portion of the kindness and hospitality shown to me by the Silva clan. I have stayed with the Silvas dozens of times over the years, often because of some kind of family illness. Back in the early 2000's, Ada and I would bunk in with the Silvas as brave grandson Sam was undergoing his two open heart surgeries. What a comfort it has always been to know that whatever stress or anxiety we faced at one hospital or another, at the end of the day we had a safe and welcoming Braintree harbor in which to dock. The key to the Silva castle was always available to us. I'd tell you where it is hidden, but most of America already knows about the sneaker in the garage. You see, it's kind of an open immigration policy at the Silva's, the Jewish version of Lourdes, where pilgrims of all beliefs can find warmth, food, and a big-ass tv. Should be a fun week.
After New Orleans, I will be flying back to Boston to see Josh, Cindy, and the twins for a few days. Sam is involved in the Weymouth version of the Special Olympics and I am very eager to see him "compete" in various activities. Later that weekend, I will be thrilled to witness Bob and Judy Ernest's grandson Michael as he becomes a bar-mitzvah. Good family stuff for sure.
The day after I get back from all this, on May 1, Nancy and I will be moving into our shared Sandestin townhouse, accompanied by the delightful Vivian, a precocious and rather unflappable West Highland terrier. She has coal black eyes that stare right through you (Vivian, not Nancy), and a keen eye for decorating (Nancy, not Vivian).
This
will be my fifth address since I moved to the Panhandle three years
ago, which either makes me very carefree and adventurous or some sort of
vagrant. Kevin, our new landlord, has furnished this beautiful
townhouse on the Gulf side of the sprawling Sandestin resort with
upgraded furniture and HD up the ying-yang. It looks like it's going to
be a tremendous flat screen kind of year. Nancy is excited about the
move. I was particularly thrilled to see her studying the ins and outs
of the new kitchen and its contents, and pronouncing it suitable for a
chef of her excellent skills. Yes, it's definitely going to be The Year
of the Joel.
About
a week after we move into Sandestin, we'll be flying to Phoenix where
Nancy will be reunited with her son, Ethan, and her grandson Aidan.
Ethan works at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess, so we'll be able to
stay at that fabulous resort for this visit. Three days in magical
Sedona and a side trip to the Grand Canyon should add hundreds of
mediocre pictures to my digital collection. If by some miracle of light
and lens I happen to capture a good one, I'll be sure to post it on
these pages. Don't hold your breath!
Then
it's a return to normalcy: golf in 90 degree heat and lazy afternoons
spent people-watching at the Gulf. That is until July when Nancy and I
embark on our own version of The Long March as we put about 4,000 miles
on the Chevy making our way through Michigan, Boston, Asheville, and
other places along the way. We'll be burning up the GPS and listening to
books on tape until our ears hurt. It's the ultimate test of a
relationship: highway boredom and Comfort Inns.I'm pretty sure this trip
will yield ripe fruit for this Blog. If not, I'll make something up.
Finally,
as 2013 draws to a close, Nancy and I will make our way to Merry Ol'
England for an October visit with the Davidsons. They will be escorting
son Jamie to his first year at Cambridge and we are thrilled to be
joining them around that learned city as well as London, West Yorkshire
and even their island retreat on Mallorca.
As one does...
Ain't life grand?
J
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